www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 21, 2006 - 3 Allan Moss, Sport Development Veronica Tyrrell, Individual Volunteer Allen Klarer, Senior Dr. Jane Coryell, Arts Community Spirit Awards winners receive sculptures By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Sharing of piece of Oakville sculptor Richard Posa's work, Creation Is Endless, left one recipient in shock, humbled one and moved another to tears at the fifth annual Community Spirit Awards. The eight wood sculptures, in keeping with the fifth being the wood anniversary, were carved and smoothed from the same slab of wood, a dead maple tree Posa found in Oakville. It was the artist's first local public viewing, and as in past years, the award winners took the artwork home. VERONICA TYRRELL "I'm in shock," said Veronica Tyrrell, president of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), as she stood motionless with her Individual Volunteer Award. She was selected from 11 nominees, the largest number submitted for any of the eight award categories. (The other awards had between two and five nominations.) "I'm still in shock," she said upon accepting the sculpture at last week's awards dinner held at the Oakville Banquet and Conference Centre. "My vision and work in Oakville is to build bridges and to make it possible to create opportunities, dialogue and partnerships. I've worked very hard at developing partnerships. "I'm dedicating this award to all of my CCAH volunteers who help me see this vision through, and to my husband Lloyd who is always helping me in the background." Afterwards, Tyrrell said she felt "really honoured" to have been selected for the award. "Here I am toiling away by myself," she mused. "I enjoy the work, and you don't always realize how many lives you touch in the community." Through her involvement with CCAH, it became a charitable organization and SHE implemented various projects around issues of African-Caribbean culture within the Canadian context. One of these projects was Growing Up Black in Oakville about how black youth feel about being part of the community. "Preserving and understanding the Caribbean culture while at the same time assimilating into Canadian society is her major objective," said master of ceremonies Hellen Buttigieg, professional organizer and host of HGTV's Neat and a 2005 Gemini Award nominee. "Veronica is very committed to the issue of breaking down barriers that exist within our community." ED STEWART Naval historian Ed Stewart, 72, co-author of Unlucky Lady published in 1983 and 1986, about the sinking of HMCS Athabaskan during the Second World War, was moved to tears upon receiving the Heritage and Heritage Award. Three of Stewart's four brothers were in the navy and William, his oldest brother, 23 at the time, was lost aboard the Athabaskan. The naval historian has turned tragedy into an opportunity to tell the story of the Athabaskan and HMCS Oakville. "Ed is a rare volunteer in this community who has the gift of being exceptionally knowledgeable and able to fascinate everyone with his patient and understanding manner of story PHOTOS BY BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER YOUTH AWARD: Accepting the Youth Award for The Club After School Tutoring Program for Kids are, front from left, Anne-Marie Doherty, Club coordinator, tutor Teague Neal and Janet Budreski, Club coordinator, and at back from left, tutors Won Heo, Kevin Chan and Sean Doherty. telling," said Buttigieg. "His passion for history and in particular the history of HCMS Athabaskan has expanded the Oakville community's understanding of its vital role with the navy in the Second World War." In accepting the award, Stewart tearfully dedicated it his older brother as "my mentor. My older brother is with me still. He motivates me to keep this memory alive. This torch has been passed on to me as a teenager...I really felt he's thrown me the torch. If he had have returned he would have done the same as I. To all of our heroes, the teacher that inspires us gives us the courage to go on." VON HALTON HOSPICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM The Group Volunteer Award went to the VON Halton Hospice Volunteer Program, a group of about 140 volunteers that provided more than 14,000 volunteers hours last year visiting 301 terminally ill people at home and assisting more than 160 family members. "We're thrilled...absolutely thrilled," said volunteer Carol Dalby. "We don't do this for awards, but this is a lovely gesture," she said. "This is a huge award," said volunteer Barbara Watt. "We are very proud to be among these volunteers. The VON is a wonderful organization to be involved with." Buttigieg said the VON hospice volunteers are "truly inspirational and persevere to assist people who are suffering both psychologically and physically. "Members of the hospice program adapt their approach to each individual's unique needs and through innovative and creative strategies assist people in their wish to die at home. They are able to respond to requests quickly, often on the same day." See Awards page 13 Our Best Sale Incredible Savings on EVER! 125 Cross Ave. (across from Home Depot) Oakville all Lenses COMPLETE PACKAGES include Selected frames Thin lenses Anti-reflective Anti-scratch INCREDIBLE DEALS ON ALL BIFOCALS Our experts can show you hundreds of options Doctor's appointments arranged $ SPACE OPTICAL 905-842-2821 Single Vision from Call for details 193 Limited time offer based on availability